Burn a ton of calories and build strength in Defend Together

Get the double whammy of a strength and cardio workout in Defend Together, using moves from boxing, kickboxing, karate, Muay Thai and functional athletic training.

Group fitness instructor at the Woodbury and St. Paul Downtown YMCAs, Natasha Steblay breaks Defend Together down for those who might be new to this class, “This isn’t your traditional aerobics class. It’s athletic and challenging yet can be modified for all fitness levels.”

Kids ages 10-14 are welcome to attend with a parent or guardian and teens over 15 can attend on their own.

Sneak preview of what to expect

In Defend Together, you will:

Execute interesting punch and kick combinations

Respond to changing rhythms in music

Work core strength without having to do crunches

Build flexibility

Have a blast with your fellow classmates

Class begins with a warm up—an opportunity to get familiar with basic punches. As the class progresses, the moves build and get more intense. Often, there is an element of conditioning built into each session, including exercises like push-ups and abdominal crunches.

There’s no special equipment needed for this class. You might want to bring a towel and water bottle.